Cryptocoryne auriculata

Cryptocoryne auriculata is a seldom-encountered species from the southern Philippines, particularly the Mindanao region. It produces narrow, lance-shaped leaves in dark olive-green with a subtly bullate leaf surface. In the wild it grows in soft, warm, slightly acidic streams beneath rainforest canopy. In the aquarium it requires stable, warm water conditions and does not tolerate frequent disturbance. Growth is slow. Its relative scarcity in cultivation is not due to particular sensitivity but simply because it has been rarely collected and distributed. For experienced Cryptocoryne enthusiasts seeking to expand their collection beyond the commonly available species, it is a genuine and rewarding find.

Light: Low to moderate; shade conditions preferred, consistent with its rainforest habitat. CO2: Not required; stable chemistry is more critical than CO2 levels. Fertilisation: Root tabs in substrate; light liquid feeding on a regular schedule. Placement: Foreground to midground in a specialist or dedicated Cryptocoryne aquarium. Propagation: Runners from rhizome; allow daughter plants to establish fully before dividing.